One Week to Retirement

[Mosbonian]

Good afternoon fellow Planeteers!

Exactly one week from today I will log off my laptop, gather what is left of my belongings at the office, hand in my equipment and turn in my badge.

After almost 48 years in my selected occupation I decided that the end of March is my retirement date. I've met many good people in my line of work and made a great deal of life long friends....(some of them Chiefs fans too)

Without getting too sentimental.....I think I have run my race and done the best I could to always be at the top of my game.

Now comes the next stage of my life....and I do have plans. But it would be nice to hear from any of the rest of you who are retired as to what happened after you retired......did you take a few weeks off before just moving to something part time or volunteer work? Or did you just hit the ground running.

Any retirement wisdom is greatly appreciated.

(And no....I am not taking a trip to Belize nor will I be drinking any anti-freeze)

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Was your boss impressed by you stepping up your workload to two hours on your last day?

I'm going to take the 5th on commenting on my Director....although I sure feel like I want to

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

This will be enjoy doing what I want retirement....it will include some fishing....some in state travel....hanging around with my buddies retirement.

After I finish what is on the wife's to do list.

Sorry no porn or drugs for me.

Yea, not serious. Enjoy

[2bikemike]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

Ok....the Good Friday became a really good Friday.

Retirement day came and I went to the office...worked 2 hours, sent my farewell email to my team and then turned off my laptop. I Gathered all my equipment from the desk and turned and put it in my Director's office. I then walked down to the Office Managers office and turned in my badge.

So now, as of 2 PM today I became officially retired.

You can't see it but trust me...there is a nice big smile on my face.

Welcome to the good life! Stay active, stay engaged in a social life, and enjoy the retirement you earned.

[tmax63]

I "officially" retired from Uncle Sam in 2017 after 32 years. Best piece of advice I can give you is keep having a reason to get up every morning. Watched many veterans who decided their missions were done when they retired and they went on their final mission(death) shortly thereafter. Those who kept finding new missions to go on and complete, lived damn near forever.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by tmax63

I "officially" retired from Uncle Sam in 2017 after 32 years. Best piece of advice I can give you is keep having a reason to get up every morning. Watched many veterans who decided their missions were done when they retired and they went on their final mission(death) shortly thereafter. Those who kept finding new missions to go on and complete, lived damn near forever.

This is very true.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by tmax63

I "officially" retired from Uncle Sam in 2017 after 32 years. Best piece of advice I can give you is keep having a reason to get up every morning. Watched many veterans who decided their missions were done when they retired and they went on their final mission(death) shortly thereafter. Those who kept finding new missions to go on and complete, lived damn near forever.

Actually going to meet a couple of the guys from my church for breakfast tomorrow. They are retired too....just to chat about what they did after they retired....and what they are doing now.

Probably going to jump into a couple of volunteer projects first....because I want to do something that brings me some enjoyment that has nothing to do with a big company making money.

Also......going to take up bowling again....that is something I have enjoyed all my life but got away from about 7 years ago. Might even jump into some leagues and get into a few tournaments.

Beside my curiosity in repairing and rebuilding computers, I have also wanted to try playing a musical instrument. But that will be just for my enjoyment.

Still also looking for the opportunity to be an assistant coach on a little league team....one where they are teaching fundamentals.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

Actually going to meet a couple of the guys from my church for breakfast tomorrow. They are retired too....just to chat about what they did after they retired....and what they are doing now.

Probably going to jump into a couple of volunteer projects first....because I want to do something that brings me some enjoyment that has nothing to do with a big company making money.

Also......going to take up bowling again....that is something I have enjoyed all my life but got away from about 7 years ago. Might even jump into some leagues and get into a few tournaments.

Beside my curiosity in repairing and rebuilding computers, I have also wanted to try playing a musical instrument. But that will be just for my enjoyment.

Still also looking for the opportunity to be an assistant coach on a little league team....one where they are teaching fundamentals.

Good plan. Even though some aren't retired, we do a "dude's lunch" every Tuesday and it's an awesome opportunity to just hang out. And learning music is also a great plan. I started before I retired, but it definitely gives me something to do when I get bored.

It's all good man, you're going to love it.

[lewdog]

It’s Sunday evening, I don’t want to go to work and I’m here to say you’ve earned it.

[jerryaldini]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

Actually going to meet a couple of the guys from my church for breakfast tomorrow. They are retired too....just to chat about what they did after they retired....and what they are doing now.

Probably going to jump into a couple of volunteer projects first....because I want to do something that brings me some enjoyment that has nothing to do with a big company making money.

Also......going to take up bowling again....that is something I have enjoyed all my life but got away from about 7 years ago. Might even jump into some leagues and get into a few tournaments.

Beside my curiosity in repairing and rebuilding computers, I have also wanted to try playing a musical instrument. But that will be just for my enjoyment.

Still also looking for the opportunity to be an assistant coach on a little league team....one where they are teaching fundamentals.

Bowling is a great retired guy sport. Very social and you can still be good into old age. Enjoy!

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by lewdog

It’s Sunday evening, I don’t want to go to work and I’m here to say you’ve earned it.

Thanks....knowing that I don't have to log in this AM and deal with emails and other work related tasks gives me a sense of peace.

Looking forward to tue breakfast meeting this morning.

All is looking good right now.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by jerryaldini

Bowling is a great retired guy sport. Very social and you can still be good into old age. Enjoy!

I remember my grandpa bowling into his 70's....and still being good at it.

That and playing more golf are high on my list

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Good plan. Even though some aren't retired, we do a "dude's lunch" every Tuesday and it's an awesome opportunity to just hang out. And learning music is also a great plan. I started before I retired, but it definitely gives me something to do when I get bored.

It's all good man, you're going to love it.

Found a new level of friendship when I moved here to FL almost 8 years ago and joined a group of guys who meet regularly for lunches, dinners and occasionally a movie or two.

Helpful in teaching me a new sense of friendship and what you will do to help in times of need. This same group of men sat with me and prayed for me when I had a heart attack. Something I will always remember..

[Mosbonian]

With all the great conversations in this thread it makes me wonder if a thread on retirement and the how to's, possible pitfalls, and just general advice could be helpful here.

Your thoughts?

[scho63]

So fess up, been to Home Depot yet?

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

With all the great conversations in this thread it makes me wonder if a thread on retirement and the how to's, possible pitfalls, and just general advice could be helpful here.

Your thoughts?

Great idea, not only for the people getting ready to retire (have decided to actually do it), but also for people 5, 10, 15, and 20 years out. The bottom line is that the numbers (cash, age, years to eligibility for pension and SS, and years to potentially live) are just that, numbers, the real retirement decisions happen early in a career because not having that cash flow to retire is the best way to not ever retire. That said, sadly IMO, many people don't retire because they don't have any other passion; work is all they know and have ever known. I was an unapologetic "workoholic" for many years, but I always made time for family and a hobby. It made life very busy working those non-work things in while traveling and otherwise putting in 50-60 hour weeks (thank God for telework and being able to work late into the evening), but it was worth it.

So yes, it's a good topic to discuss so others can possibly benefit from how other people are doing it/did it. Nobody needs to be a financial advisor beyond "save 10%+" or "make sure you at least do the matching portion of your company's 401K plan", but more focused on "life the first day, weeks, months, and years after you retire". I'm only 5 months into my retirement and have no regrets in having retired, and I'm still adjusting to it. It's a nice adjustment, but an adjustment nonetheless...